How to Stop Negative Thoughts: A 3-Step Formula

Do you want to stop negative thoughts from affecting you so much?

Do you get stuck in thought patterns that lead to anxiety, fear, and worry?

What if I told you that there’s a simple way to deal with negative thoughts?

You see, I’ve been battling negative thinking patterns my whole life. I’ve battled with my inner critic. I’ve had to learn how to transcend negative self-talk.

I’ve tried most of the systems and methods out there, and I’ve found what works for me.

In this article, you’ll discover one of my favorite ways of getting rid of negative thinking.

And it’s not going to be what you expect, so keep reading, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

What is a Negative Thought?

At its core, a negative thought is not inherently negative. It’s simply a thought. What makes it negative is how you label it, and then how you react to that label.

To illustrate: Think of something neutral, like a tree or a rock. Now, think of something like money, relationships, or even death.

The difference between them is the thinking you have about them. How do I know? Because we all have different thinking about different subjects, so we all feel differently about them.

So to stop negative thinking, we first need to realize how it is created within us.

Why Do We Have Negative Thought Patterns?

Because we believe these negative thoughts are beneficial in some way.

For example, I used to worry about money a lot, until I realized that it was counter-productive. Before my realization, I thought I was coming up with ideas. I thought forcing myself to take action was the key.

But then I took a hard look at if that pattern was helpful or not, and I discovered that it wasn’t.

Our minds often trick us into these patterns, because it feels like you’re doing something, when you’re not.

You can see your thought patterns as programs running inside you, like a software app on a computer, phone, or tablet.

Your software can be changed, molded, and redirected.

Note that I’m not saying you can prevent negative thoughts from emerging. I’m saying that you can change how you react to them, which will help stop further negative thinking.

How to Stop Negative Thinking — Video

Below is a video of me diving deeper into the topic of how to stop negative thoughts. The video complements the article, so feel free to watch it, and then continue reading.

Step #1 – Awareness

The first step is to notice when a thought appears that brings up a negative feeling within you.

For example, if I have a thought pop in that is about not having enough money, I can observe it, which makes me less likely to get caught up in the story it weaves.

I don’t try to tell myself that I have enough money. Instead, I let the thought be.

When I let the thought be, it often dissolves by itself, because I’m not giving it fuel by resisting or trying to change it.

The more I’ve done this, the more aware of my patterns I’ve become. If you want to supercharge your awareness, I recommend you pick up meditation.

I’ve been meditating regularly since 2006, and it has made a huge difference in my ability to not get sucked into negative thinking patterns.

Step #2 – Dive In

In most cases, all I need is the first step. But if a thought pattern keeps returning, then I’ll examine what’s going on beneath the surface.

Staying with my money example, let’s say I feel fear about not having enough money.

I’ll examine it by asking myself questions. I often do this with pen and paper, because it’s easy to get stuck in mental loops if you try to do it in your head.

I’ll ask:

• What specifically am I afraid of?
• What is the worst that can happen?
• Is that the truth?
• How do I know?
• Where’s the evidence?
• What are the benefits of thinking or believing this?

I don’t necessarily look for any one thing. These questions are just to get me acquainted with what’s going on.

I want to get to the feeling, or sensation, of this thought or belief. I want it to be as intense as possible for the third and final step.

Step #3 – Embrace

So I’m in the thought. I’m feeling it. I’m afraid of not having enough money, and what that will mean for me.

I see the images in my head of what that fear represents.

Now, I embrace the feeling or sensation completely. The questions above, and the visualization, help me get in touch with the feeling in my body.

I notice where it is. For me it’s usually in my chest or stomach area. I notice wanting to constrict and withdraw from the world, to defend myself.

And then I welcome it all. I don’t resist the feeling. I open myself completely to it. I surrender. And I let it in like inviting a friend for tea on a cold winter day.

I open all the doors, and melt into the feeling.

When I do this, the feeling dissolves, because it has nothing to fight against. There is only an embrace and a blending.

This fear is a part of me, and I welcome it home. It is welcome here, with whatever message it brings, or whatever part of me it represents.

A side benefit of doing this over and over is that I’ve come to know, in my body, that negative thoughts and feelings are only messengers. They are not to be feared, but to be embraced.

If you want more details on how this is done, watch the video below.

What If You Still Can’t Stop Negative Thinking?

When I seem unable to stop a negative thought, it’s often a sign that I’ve discovered another layer to it, or that I’m trying too hard to avoid it.

Many fears are multi-layered, especially core fears around money, relationships, death, and so on.

If a thought persists, I don’t try too hard to get rid of it. I might explore it, and keep embracing it, or I might leave it for another day.

If I leave it, I use step #1 to keep being aware of it as best as I can. I do my best to not resist that it’s still there.

Because sometimes I have bad days, where I feel a bit anxious, and that’s okay. Everyone has good days. Everyone has bad days.

The key is not to try to push them away, but be in whatever experience you’re in. Be in the present moment completely.

I don’t “work hard” at this. This is not about fixing myself. I’m simply aware of how my experience is created.

(My favorite book on being in the now is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle).

The Simple Summary

If you want to learn how to stop negative thoughts, realize that it’s not about stopping thoughts, but about changing how you relate to those initial thoughts.

Let the negativity and fear dance in your body. Let it in. Let it expand. Welcome it.

There is nothing wrong. You don’t have to be happy all the time. In fact, you cannot.

Negative thoughts have no inherent power over you. They come and they go.

As you begin to apply this 3-step formula, you’ll realize that there’s nothing to be afraid of. That in turn will translate into you being more courageous in your everyday life.

You’ll start going after your dreams.

You’ll smile more.

You’ll have more fun.

Are you ready to experience that?

Then use what you’ve just learned, and dance with whatever you’re experiencing.

All the best,
Henri

P.S. If you’d like to learn how to take things to the next level, and start doing what you love, I invite you to check out my book, Follow Your Heart: 21 Days to a Happier, More Fulfilling Life.